A single house on a small lot the explores the potential of the habitable roof with extensive external living areas and swimming pool on roof decks. The 3 storey house was envisaged as a ‘chest of drawers,’ with the outdoor terrace on the first floor imagined as a drawer that has been pulled out to the north.

The clients wanted to maximise the floor area of the small site, and saw the corner location as an opportunity for ‘something different… something quite flamboyant!”

Single house
Queenslea Dr, Claremont
2003

J. Stati
Michael Patroni
Shaun Miller
Burdett & Associates
SMW&C
PM White & Partners
Ampezzo Construction
Christian Sprogoe Photography

 

Credits

Client
Project Team

Structural Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Hydraulics Engineer
General Contractor
Photography

The ‘chest of drawers’ imagery is explored in the composition of the two street elevations where large areas of solid wall on one elevation become extensive glazing on the other. The timber battened privacy screen to the terrace is suggestive of the ‘pulled out drawer’. Opalescent glass and translucent blinds are used for privacy but still allow natural illumination.

The project is a house that can function either for a couple who work from home, or, as a 3 bedroom family home. Located close to the river, opposite a boys’ grammar school and a private hospital, the site has an almost-urban context. The block has an elevated outlook from the roof garden with river glimpses to the south. North facing living areas and outdoor spaces are raised to the first floor level with views of established jacaranda trees on the street.

The house has an inverted plan over 4 levels, with the bedrooms on the ground floor, and the living, outdoor terrace and pool at the first floor with access to a roof garden above. There is also a large basement living room with a light court below.

The bedrooms have ground level windows, which allow light and low views of the garden while excluding views into the rooms from the street.

The first floor kitchen, living and dinning room has floor to ceiling windows to the south and north creating a light filled space with visual flow through. The room can then open up to the north terrace and pool, without wind from the south.

The outdoor terrace is wrapped in a timber batten privacy screen that lifts up to allow the glass ended swimming pool to peep out over the street, enlivening the elevation. The external stair to the roof terrace, supported off the timber screen, connects the two main outdoor living areas.